FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 file photo taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran, a university student attends a protest inside Tehran University while a smoke grenade is thrown by anti-riot Iranian police, in Tehran, Iran. Iran has seen its largest anti-government protests since the disputed presidential election in 2009, with thousands taking to the streets in several cities in recent days. Travel restrictions and moves by the government to shut down social media networks have limited the ability of journalists to cover the ongoing unrest, which Iranian state television said has killed 12 people. (AP Photo, File)

BC-AP News Digest 6 pm

January 01, 2018 - 6:01 pm

Here are the AP's latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST.

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NEW/DEVELOPING

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Adds NYC MAYOR, HEROIC COACH, POLAR BEAR PLUNGE.

LOGAN-PLANE PROBLEM — A mechanical issue forces a plane to return to the gate at Boston's Logan Airport, and four people are taken to hospitals to be evaluated, American Airlines says. SENT: 110 words. UPCOMING: Developing.

DEPUTIES DOWN-COLORADO — Candlelight vigil set for 7 p.m. Story will be updated on merits.

IRAN-PROTESTS — Nationwide protests in Iran see their most-violent night as "armed protesters" try to overrun military bases and police stations before security forces repel them, killing several people. Later, an assailant with a hunting rifle guns down a policeman, according to Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency. The slaying brings the death toll during the five days of unrest to at least 13. By Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell. SENT: 800 words, photos. With IRAN-PROTESTS-THE LATEST; IRAN-PROTESTS-Q&A (sent).

CALIFORNIA-MARIJUANA-OPEN FOR BUSINESS — Customers line up early to purchase recreational marijuana legally for the first time in California as the new year brought broad legalization some two decades after the state was the first to allow pot for medical use. By Brian Melley and Terence Chea. SENT: 970 words, photos, video, audio. With CALIFORNIA MARIJUANA-OPEN FOR BUSINESS-THE LATEST.

CHICAGO VIOLENCE-2017 — Police in violence-prone Chicago report some encouraging news. The city ended 2017 with fewer homicides than the year before — although gang violence in the city's most dangerous neighborhoods kept the total number of killings above the 600 mark. By Don Babwin. SENT: 750 words, photos. With BALTIMORE-ANNUAL HOMICIDE RECORD — Baltimore breaks city record for killings per capita in 2017. SENT: 730 words, photo.

OPIOIDS-FRAUD CRACKDOWN — The Justice Department is arming prosecutors with new data to help them stop the over-prescription of painkillers that is driving the opioid abuse epidemic. A Pennsylvania doctor is the first to be indicted by the nationwide group given access to data showing which doctors are prescribing the most, how far patients will travel to see them and whether any have died. By Sadie Gurman. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. Eds: This story is this week's Tuesday Spotlight.

DEEP FREEZE-MIDWEST — Bone-chilling cold grips much of the central U.S. as 2018 begins, breaking century-old records, icing over some New Year's celebrations and leading to at least two deaths attributed to exposure to the elements. SENT: 530 words, photos.

NYC MAYOR — Bill de Blasio starts his second term as New York City mayor with a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall Park in freezing temperatures. SENT: 340 words, photos.

RAPE KITS-APOLOGY — Years after police in one North Carolina city destroyed hundreds of rape kits, they did something unusual: They enlisted the help of a rape crisis group and together, they called the victims and told them that the evidence was gone. SENT: 900 words, photos.

T25-SUGAR BOWL — No. 1 Clemson takes on No. 4 Alabama in the third straight playoff meeting between the college football powerhouses. After splitting the last two national championship games, they clash this time in a Sugar Bowl semifinal. By National Writer Paul Newberry. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos. Game starts 8:45 p.m. With T25-ROSE BOWL — No. 2 Oklahoma takes on No. 3 Georgia in the Rose Bowl for a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos. Game starts 5 p.m.

At the Nerve Center, Ron DePasquale and Mike Stewart can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, ext. 1900. Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 877-836-9477.